Saturday, November 15, 2008

New Gulf War Syndrome 2nd time Around

We were told not to worry about the bright orange dust lying in piles around the plant, swirling in the air and gathering in the folds of their uniforms. In fact, Indiana soldiers spent weeks or months in a wasteland contaminated with sodium dichromate.

This is what happen during Operation Desert Storm too. The 90-91 had areas in Saudia Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq which had little no oversite of the waste we troops walked thru. 17 years later over 135,000 of returning troups are getting care from the VA for infections, disorders and chronic sympthoms.

What does a war injury look like? In the case of Iraq, we tend to picture veterans bravely getting on with their lives with the help of steel legs or computerized limbs. Trauma injuries are certainly the most visible of health problems -- the ones that grab our attention.

Unfortunately, the dangers of modern war extend far beyond weapons. As Iraqis know only too well, areas of Iraq today are among the most polluted on the planet -- so toxic that merely to live, eat and sleep (never mind to fight) in these zones is to risk death. Thousands of soldiers coming home from the war may have been exposed to chemicals that are known to cause cancers and neurological problems. What's most tragic is that the veterans themselves do not always realize that they are in danger from chemical poisoning. Right now, there is no clear way for Iraq war veterans to find out what they've been exposed to and where to get help.

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/106497/the_new_gulf_war_syndrome/

Remember OIF troops are classified by the VA as Gulf War Veterans too.
Demand response from the VA- Advisory Committee on Gulf Veterans
www.va.gov/gulfwaradvisorycommittee

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